HMSI sales high even in troubled times

The slowdown that has affected all sections of the industrial spectrum seems to have left Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) alone. The company has shown an increase in the sales by 40 per cent this November compared to the same month in year 2007.

Even as two-wheeler makers the world over have seen stunted growth, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has reportedly posted robst sales. While current sales, till November end, stand at 100162 units including 63004 scooters and 37158 motorcycles, the company had, in the previous year, sold 72085 units which comprise 49277 scooters and 22808 motorcycles. The market share of the company in two-wheeler section rose to 13 per cent from 10 percent earlier.

With such a good run in the market even in troubled times, the company is now looking at pioneering the gearless scooter with new releases. This apart, the Honda 150cc will arrive soon to compete against the Bajaj Pulsar, while the Shine and Stunner in the 125cc segment are already doing well. HMSI, reportedly, has been producing 30000 units a month. The company which makes as many as 10,000 bikes, is looking at increase the output to 12000 units from January 2009. It currently exports 2000 units to the European region.

Meanwhile, the Japan –based behemoth Honda has planned to invest more in India as the market potential was moving up. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has already increased its production capacity in its Greater Noida to 100000 and established its second plant in Rajasthan. The car maker has also decided to up car prices by 6 per cent to 7 per cent, excluding its recently released new Honda City model.

The company is also likely to have more than 100 dealers within the country by the end of this year. It also expects to start export of engine parts to South Asia shortly.